Montana man pleads guilty to premeditated murder, assault and elder abuse

BILLINGS — Daniel M. Dreamer of Crow Agency is under federal investigation after pleading guilty this week to killing his aunt and attacking his grandmother while trying to stop the attack, according to tribal officials.

Montana man pleads guilty to premeditated murder, assault and elder abuse

Dreamer, 24, pleaded guilty to premeditated murder, aggravated assault and elder abuse charges in Crow Tribal Court on Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, according to tribal court documents.

He is currently being held at the Rocky Mountain Detention Center in Hardin.

Dreamer allegedly stabbed his aunt 22 times with a butterfly knife Tuesday at a residence on Dakake Street in Crow Agency, according to Crow Tribal Court documents.

His 86-year-old grandmother tried to stop the attack, and Dreamer allegedly pushed her to the ground, according to court documents.

He was hospitalized for what appeared to be a lacerated collarbone and a stab wound to his wrist, according to court documents.

Family members confirmed to MTN that the aunt’s name is Jonni Dreamer and the grandmother’s name is Deanne Dreamer.

Daniel was sentenced to two and a half years in prison by Crow Tribal Court on Wednesday. Tribal courts have severely limited authority to impose harsher sentences for crimes such as murder.

MMIP-Billing He noted this on Facebook a few weeks ago regarding an unrelated case: “Tribal governments are limited in their ability to punish, even in murder cases. This is one of the many reasons we raise awareness for the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples Movement. Justice is often minimal or non-existent. In major cases like murder, All crimes are under federal jurisdiction.”

Crow Tribe prosecutor David Sibley confirmed to MTN News that the FBI is investigating to determine whether federal charges will be filed.